An opportunity to comment on a life very full, with room for improvement, and little time to do it.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Wisconsin - #30, May 29, 1848

The state of Wisconsin is the country's leading producer of dairy products - one of its other nicknames is "America's Dairyland." Recreationally, the state has over 14,000 lakes and water sports, ice-boating, and fishing are popular, as
are skiing and hunting. The state has 95 state parks, forests, and recreation
areas that take up one-seventh of the state's land. The state's water covers 11,188 square miles, more than all but Alaska, Michigan, and Florida.

Wisconsin has been a pioneer in social legislation, providing pensions for the blind (1907), aid to dependent children (1913), and assistance to seniors (1925). In labor legislation, the state was the first to enact an unemployment compensation law (1932) and the first in which a workman's compensation law actually took effect. In 1984, Wisconsin became the first state to adopt the Uniform Marital Property Act. The state has a long history of Progressivism led by the fiery Robert "Fightin' Bob" LaFollette, Sr.

The current Governor of Wisconsin is Republican Scott Walker. Walker faced a recall election earlier this year after pushing through legislation limiting union influence, but survived. The Senators for Wisconsin are split by the ideological aisle, Ron Johnson (R) and Herb Kohl (D). The Wisconsin Congressional delegation is also relatively equally split, with eight members, three Democrats and five Republicans.

1st District - Paul Ryan (R) - Ryan is considered at the top of many pundit's lists to serve as Mitt Romney's running mate.